David Coulthard has rubbished Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone's claim he should find a new team to revive his career.

David Coulthard has rubbished Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone's claim he should find a new team to revive his career.

Ecclestone has advised the 32-year-old to move on at the end of this season - his eighth with McLaren - having failed to lift the drivers' crown so far.

But Coulthard, expected to be confirmed as a McLaren driver for 2004 in the next few weeks, has dismissed suggestions a change of team would have the same effect as Jenson Button's move from Renault to BAR.

Coulthard, who has scored 12 of his 13 career wins with the Mercedes-powered outfit, said: "McLaren is the best opportunity for me to win grands prix.

"As for Jenson, he was going from a car which was qualifying on the back row in some races to a car which is more competitive.

"So I don't think it is a very good example of how changing teams can make you step forward."

Coulthard goes into Sunday's British Grand Prix at Silverstone knowing not even a third victory in his home race - he triumphed in 1999 and 2000 - will make a significant impact on the drivers' standings.

The Twynholm-born racer is only seventh in the championship, a massive 35 points behind Ferrari's Michael Schumacher with just 60 points left to play for.

He said: "I believe a podium is possible this weekend and if the car's working a win is possible.

"I have won this race twice and it would be fantastic to win it again.

"A British sportsman winning a British event is always great for the public and everyone.

"But I don't think I've really had the time to enjoy my British wins as much as you might think.

"When you're in the throes of a career, you don't really have the time to think about winning one race more than another.

"At the time you probably get a bigger thrill out of that one individual race."

NTALKS are continuing about the long-term future of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

There has been speculation the prestigious race could be moved or even scrapped because of the state of the track and facilities.

But a statement issued jointly by Brands Hatch Circuits Ltd, the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC), the commercial rights holder Formula One Management, motorsport's world governing body the FIA and East Midlands Development Agency said discussions were on-going about the track's Grand Prix status.